Electrical Synapses in the Mammalian Brain

描述（由申请人提供）：电突触是专门的连接，包括间隙连接，其允许离子电流和小有机分子从一个神经元传递到另一个神经元。只是在过去的几年里，人们才清楚地认识到电突触是哺乳动物中枢神经系统神经元回路的主要特征。PI的研究表明，电突触在新皮层和丘脑的抑制性神经元之间很常见，而连接蛋白36是这些连接所必需的。本研究将描述丘脑和新皮层电突触的功能和调节。有三个具体目标：1）将使用电生理学、解剖学和分子方法详细描述丘脑皮层系统的抑制性和兴奋性神经元中的电突触的分布; 2）将在丘脑和新皮层的受控条件下测试电突触可以协调抑制性中间神经元网络的活动以及它们接触的兴奋性神经元的假设; 3）在丘脑和新皮层中验证了电突触可受神经活动、神经递质和细胞内信号系统调节的假说。这项研究将提供一个更深入的了解电突触的性质和功能，一个新认识的哺乳动物前脑的功能。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Electrical synapses are specialized connections, comprising gap junctions,that allow ionic current and small organic molecules to pass from one neuron to another. Only in the past few years has it become clear that electrical synapses are a major feature of the neuronal circuitry across the mammalian central nervous system. The PI's research has shown that electrical synapses are common between inhibitory neurons of the neocortex and thalamus, and that the protein connexin36 is necessary for these connections. This investigation will characterize the functions and the regulation of electrical synapses in the thalamus and neocortex. There are three specific aims: 1) the distribution of electrical synapses in both inhibitory and excitatory neurons of the thalamocortical system will be characterized in detail using electrophysiological, anatomical, and molecular methods; 2) the hypothesis that electrical synapses can coordinate the activity of inhibitory interneuron networks, and the excitatory neurons they contact, will be tested under controlled conditions in thalamus and neocortex; 3) the hypothesis that electrical synapses can be modulated by neural activity, neurotransmitters, and intracellular signaling systems will be tested in thalamus and neocortex. This investigation will provide a deeper understanding of the properties and functions of electrical synapses, a newly recognized feature of the mammalian forebrain.